Let's Go Green!: June 2013

In my first year in ANU Law School, I was handed a Law School Survival Guide. In it, the Survival Guide told me that if I pass, I ought to feel contented; if I get a credit, I ought to grin; if I get a distinction, I should throw a party; and if I get a high distinction, it’s time to dedicate a monument for myself.

At first, I didn’t believe it.

But as time passed, I started to see its truth and meaning.

After just a year and a half, I’ve seen so many battered warriors, tired and beaten. A few had risen above others with better skills than the rest, claiming their crown of being cream of the crop; most continued to sharpen their swords and polish their armour to fight another day; few had given up in despair; and finally, there were the minority who were left broken by the war, forced to leave the service.

If you really put your mind to it, you’d see that the war isn’t worth it. I used to tell myself that I can graduate at the end of the day with a prestigious degree and then, it will be worth it. But after having seen all these… sufferings, I have come to decide that it really isn’t worth it at all.

Pursuing a HD average in ANU Law School is akin to chasing unicorns and rainbows. That is what I tell myself because it is easier if I blame the system. I realise that once one begins the internalise the blame, nothing good comes out of it. I suppose monitoring the stress level in university has really helped me to understand how commonly adverse effects of pressure manifest in people. More often than not, the effects aren’t very pleasing.

I am not sure if such high level of stress and its adverse effects are as prominent in other places as it is here. It is neither something I hear about very often in Malaysia nor was I exposed to many of such instances. As a consequence, many aren’t aware that it’s become an issue when it is an issue, and we don’t know how to help others when it’s been brought to our attention.

Then again, in ANU, if you try to seek comfort in another, chances are the other person is also having a tough time and you both will naturally end up in a conversation about your equally depressing lives (jokes!)

The point I’m trying to make is that there are more important things in life than just doing well. Everyone knows that it is important to be happy. Everyone knows that happiness is more important than wealth or prestige.

But do we know when to stop?

If doing well isn’t going so well, it’s probably a sign to stop. Take a break and let it go, because you deserve to feel better – about yourself and your life.

Also, one should always have some #yolo moments. :)

Like running out of lecture before it even began. :P

Or tying up a bicycle on a tree. -.-“

Random bicycle on a tree outside Fenner Hall

Today I also went to watch Brian’s recital with the ANU Music Society and it resembled STS Band so much a wave of nostalgia literally attacked me. I almost wanted to buy a tuba out of impulse just to join the band… until I found out a tuba cost AUD2000. (!!!)

Ain’t nobody got money fo’ that! D;